We’re just a bunch of mates and we play for the love of footy.
- Joel Roberts
FULLBACK Joel Roberts nailed a sideline conversion in crunch time to lift Gerringong to a thrilling 28-24 victory over Shellharbour City in Sunday’s Group 7 Rugby League grand final.
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Shellharbour were protecting a 24-20 lead at Collegians when Lions winger Reuben Garrick crashed over in the corner with three minutes remaining.
Roberts had already booted four of four goals against the Sharks, and his fifth attempt sailed between the posts.
‘‘It went straight over,’’ he said. ‘‘It never looked like missing.’’
Minor premiers Shellharbour were the first team through to the grand final.
The Sharks re-entered Group 7 last season after a stint in the Illawarra competition and were chasing their first title since 2001.
‘‘We haven’t beaten Shellharbour since they’ve come back in the comp,” Roberts said. “There’s no better way to do it than the grand final.
‘‘We don’t pay players. We’re just a bunch of mates and we play for the love of footy.’’
The Lions drew first blood with converted tries to Rixon Russell and Michael Brown. Roberts added a penalty goal for 14-0.
Sharks halfback Matt Carroll pounced on a loose ball for 14-6.
The Sharks’ Jai Field scored beside the posts, while Kurt Field’s 40th-minute try off another Lions mistake gave Shellharbour a 16-14 half-time lead.
Pat Cronin and Roberts combined to send winger Alec Brookes over in the 50th minute.
The game was tied at 20-all after Ryan McCracken’s try, before Kurt Field went over for his second to give Shellharbour a 24-20 buffer.
The normally reliable Carroll was off target with both conversions.
Gerringong refused to quit, coming away with Garrick’s crucial try.
Roberts booted a last-minute penalty goal.
Shellharbour coach Dave Walsh believed referee Bill Drury’s performance wasn’t up to scratch.
‘‘It was unlucky,” he said. ‘‘They had a hell of a lot of calls go their way and I think every person in the crowd knows should’ve gone the other way.”
Lions coach Mick Cronin has steered his side to three titles in six years.
‘‘I’ve never had an easy one,’’ Cronin said. “Every one of them they’ve been behind with five minutes to go. These blokes hang in there and tough it out.”
Shellharbour still left grand final day with silverware.
After trailing 16-0 to Kiama in second grade, Shellharbour won 26-20. In third grade, Shellharbour kept the Albion Park Outlaws scoreless, winning 18-0.
